Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is a hot topic these days. Some people are fascinated by the idea of machines that can think like humans, while others find it a little terrifying. Meanwhile, tech giants like Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft, OpenAI and many others are rushing towards this technology, eager to secure a top spot in the race.
But here’s the real question: How close are we to AGI actually being implemented? Is this future just around the corner or will it take another decade, if not more, to get there? And, just as important, what effect will AGI have on our lives when it finally arrives?
Well, let’s take a look.
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Is AGI’s promise realistic?
Yes it is. To put it simply, the human brain is essentially a biological computer, and creating AGI comes down to replicating that type of thinking in a machine. It’s just a matter of time and enough computing power. The development progress we have been seeing in AI models and hardware, especially in recent years, leads me to believe that AGI could be achieved in the next 5-7 years. And if this happens, our society will see massive changes.
Let’s take a look at a well-known example: since the first days of their development, smartphones and the Internet have come a long way, and today it is practically impossible to imagine our everyday life without them. AGI will eventually take a place in the same lineup as them, becoming an essential part of the daily routine.
In fact, AGI is likely to become even more indispensable than the Internet. Even now we can clearly see that it is easier to ask ChatGPT a question and watch it give you the exact information you need. No more manually scrolling through dozens of Google search results looking for the right link. AGI will greatly streamline this process, providing quick responses tailored to your specific requests.
The effect of AGI on the labor market
Not long ago, the widespread assumption was that AI would primarily take care of manual, repetitive jobs, leaving humans to focus on creativity and self-improvement. But ironically, creative fields have become the first to be influenced by the adoption of AI. Illustration, design, music, writing: human content creators of all levels feel threatened.
Programming is undoubtedly an area that will undergo significant transformation in the coming years. Just as the invention of the camera forced painters to rethink their craft, AGI will push programmers, writers and other professionals to shift their focus from routine tasks to more creative and expansive thinking.
The repetitive parts of a creative process could easily be automated, but true innovation will still be in human hands. Those who can push the boundaries, creating new genres or approaches, will survive (and probably even thrive), while those who only produce repetitive work will struggle to retain their value.
The same applies to other professions as well. In all likelihood, product thinking will be more important than having highly specialized skills, because AGI will eventually be able to replicate the latter quite easily.
So does this mean that AI skills are more important than hard skills?
Let’s look at this through the lens of the kitchen. You can find virtually any recipe online, but that doesn’t mean everyone can make a delicious meal just by following it. The value of a chef’s skills comes from nuanced experience, from knowing how to mix ingredients the right way for a delicious result.
Likewise, I believe there will be demand for professionals who can see the big picture and effectively guide AI systems to achieve specific goals. Just as a chef doesn’t need to understand every detail of cheese production to make a great cheese-based dish, a programmer doesn’t need to write every line of code by hand to create a great app.
An experienced developer could use AGI to create applications in almost any programming language. They may not need to do the routine coding themselves, but they will still need to have a good eye for the overall architecture design to be able to oversee the process. In contrast, someone without much programming experience would have a hard time giving AGI the right instructions or determining if the final product is any good. They wouldn’t see the hidden nuances that could make or break the project.
This type of pattern will spread to many other professions, and the strategic thinkers who can focus on the big picture and leverage AGI effectively will ultimately be the ones who come out ahead.
Prepare your business for the future of AGI
When AGI is finally implemented, business innovation will be greatly accelerated. Machines do not need breaks, vacations or sick leave. They can work 24 hours a day, and for a business owner that is as promising as it is dangerous. Don’t forget: your competitors are likely thinking along the same lines as you and looking to take advantage of this technology.
To stay ahead, it’s important to start preparing now. Companies need to invest in employee training and start restructuring workflows so that AI becomes a regular tool that their team uses every day, like any other office equipment. This way, they will be much better positioned to embrace AGI when it comes out and make it a core part of their strategy.
The bottom line is simple: AGI is coming faster than you think. It will change the way we work and live, so the best thing you can do is start preparing now. Those who adapt will prosper, while those who resist may be left behind.
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